People

John co-founded ICON plc in 1990, the world leading clinical research organisation. In 2004 he founded Human Dignity Foundation to protect and promote children’s rights. He remains Chair of HDF’s Board; as well as serving as non-executive director on ICON’s board, and as Executive Chair and CEO respectively of biotech companies DS Biopharma and Afimmune. John is a founding member of Science Gallery International, Adjunct Professor of Pharmaceutics at the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland and Honorary Professor of Pharmacology and Pharmacy at National University of Singapore. He is also an honorary fellow of St Hilda’s, University of Oxford.

Andre is a former Portuguese Senior Police Officer with years of experience in fighting organised crime and protecting the most vulnerable members of society. Before joining HDF Board, he led Interpol Vulnerable Communities Sub-Directorate and now supports HDF in work done to protect and rescue children from the most severe dangers and threats.

Emma brings experience of senior national and international strategy, policy, and performance management roles spanning a range of sectors, including the UK Civil Service, the charity sector, and academia. As a member of the HDF Board, her focus is in supporting the Team to ensure rigorous and robust management of the Foundation’s grant and investment portfolios, to maximise the impact of our work.

Tracy has extensive and varied experience with many aspects of fiduciary management and financial markets. Her background in banking and investment management brings crucial expertise to HDF’s investment and fund management strategies. She has been instrumental in reducing the risk profile of the foundation’s investment portfolio and reducing fund management fees.

Rainer is an emerited law professor of the University of Zurich. For many years he was a legal partner of KPMG Switzerland and Kendris and served private clients with relations to Switzerland. He was also General Counsel, and is now an Of Counsel, of Kendris. He is also chairman of an internationally orientated Swiss foundation focusing on education. Rainer bring his expertise in tax, legal matters and strategy to the HDF Board.

David is a Business Graduate of University College Dublin and has 40 years’ experience running companies in Ireland, the UK and Spain; initially for multinationals and latterly as an entrepreneur. Over the last 14 years he has been active in the not-for-profit sector both as a volunteer and board member. He is a non-executive director of HDF, a non-executive director of Kinia and Chair of Suas Educational Development.

James has numerous years of management experience in the pharmaceutical industry, developing new medicines for infectious diseases. He has also served as a board member and director of a number of pharmaceutical organisations. James has served on the HDF board since the foundation was formed in 2004 and is the currently Vice-Chair